Director, Regulatory Affairs & Compliance

Title: Director, Regulatory Affairs & Compliance

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: VP Quality & Food Safety

Supervises: N/A

Travel: As needed

Department: QA

Position Summary

Woodland Gourmet is seeking a Director, Regulatory Affairs & Compliance to lead the companys food regulatory strategy across its portfolio of seasonings, grain-based products, baking mixes, and related product lines. This role owns FDA and state-level compliance, ingredient and nutrition labeling accuracy, and proactive management of emerging regulatory risk (including California Proposition 65 and other state right-to-know statutes). The ideal candidate pairs deep food-regulatory subject matter expertise with strong ESG and sustainability knowledge, enabling the company to interpret complex and shifting regulations, manage compliance risk, and translate regulatory requirements into practical, cross-functional action.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the companys subject matter expert on FDA regulations (FDCA, FSMA, 21 CFR labeling/nutrition requirements) and state food regulations affecting product formulation, labeling, and claims.
• Review and approve ingredient statements, nutrition facts panels, allergen declarations, and label claims across all product lines prior to launch or reformulation.
• Own California Proposition 65 compliance strategy, including safe-harbor warning language for listed substances (e.g., heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, and process-generated contaminants such as acrylamide), and monitor litigation and regulatory developments (e.g., OEHHA rulemaking, consent judgments, and court rulings) that affect required warnings.
• Track and interpret regulatory science thresholds relevant to labeling decisions, including Maximum Allowed Risk Levels (MADL) and No Significant Risk Levels (NSRL).
• Partner with Legal, Quality, R&D, Operations, and Marketing to assess regulatory risk on new products, formulation changes, and claims before they reach the market.
• Maintain a regulatory intelligence process to flag upcoming rule changes, guidance updates, and enforcement trends across FDA, USDA (where applicable), and state agencies.
• Manage the companys Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) in accordance with FSMA requirements, including supplier verification activities, hazard evaluations, and recordkeeping.
• Lead or support responses to regulatory inquiries, audits, warning letters, or consumer/legal complaints related to labeling or product compliance.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, checklists, and training materials to embed regulatory compliance into product development and label-review workflows.
• Represent Woodland Gourmets regulatory position in interactions with industry associations, outside counsel, and regulatory agencies as needed.
• Anticipate emerging regulatory changes and market trends and build a forward-looking regulatory roadmap and strategy for the business rather than focusing solely on closing compliance gaps.
• Align regulatory strategic direction with the Executive Leadership Team, translating anticipated regulatory shifts into business priorities, resource needs, and investment recommendations.
• Own compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) packaging regulations, including producer registration, annual reporting, fee submissions, and packaging design/recyclability requirements across applicable states.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology, or a related scientific field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in food regulatory affairs or compliance, including direct FDA labeling and nutrition compliance experience.
• Demonstrated expertise with Proposition 65 compliance, safe-harbor warnings, and California OEHHA requirements.
• Working knowledge of laboratory testing processes and standards (e.g., ICP-MS) as they relate to heavy metals, sodium, and other analyte compliance testing.
• Strong understanding of FDA nutrition labeling regulations, allergen labeling requirements, and food claims substantiation.
• Working knowledge of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) frameworks, reporting standards, and their intersection with food regulatory and sustainability compliance.
• Experience managing outside counsel, regulatory agencies, or contract laboratories preferred.
• Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) a plus, though not required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements for cross-functional, non-legal audiences.
• High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and comfort managing multiple concurrent compliance projects (e.g., label reviews, lab invoice audits, and regulatory tracking spreadsheets).

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical requirements described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to help individuals with disabilities perform these vital functions. The job typically requires prolonged periods of sitting while working at a computer. Frequent use of a computer, keyboard, mouse and telephone, Frequent verbal communication during in person and virtual meetings.

This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.

Gourmet hires exceptional people to perform a wide variety of important functions that contribute to the success of our organization. We offer a competitive compensation package with benefits. The estimated salary range for this role is $160,000 to $200,000. This position is eligible for an annual bonus (based on the incentive program terms and conditions). Based on your qualifications, previous experience, and transferable skills, the company will determine, at its discretion, the rate offered and will reflect the market conditions and cost of living for your geographic location.

Our benefits program is designed to support our team in leading healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. We deeply value the contributions of our team members and are committed to offering a competitive total compensation package. Additionally, we offer medical, prescription drug plans, dental, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, vision insurance, flexible spending account, health savings account, tuition reimbursement, employee assistance program, voluntary benefits (hospital, critical illness, personal accident, legal & identify theft), 401k with company match, paid family leave, paid holidays and paid time off.

Woodland Gourmet is a participant in the federal E-Verify program. As part of the hiring process, we will verify the information provided on your Form I-9 to confirm your eligibility to work in the United States. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from your Form I-9 to government records to confirm employment eligibility. For more information E-Verify and your rights, please visit E-Verify website.

Woodland Gourmet assures equal employment opportunity in all its hiring and employment policies and practices. This includes all aspects of employment, such as recruiting, hiring, promotions, transfers, demotions, layoffs or terminations, compensation, benefits, training, company-sponsored education, social and recreational programs or events, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. These policies and practices are administered without regard to "legally protected categories" such as: race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation or sexual orientation, pregnancy status or medical conditions related to childbirth, and/or any other factor protected by law.